Getting a Likely Letter Similar to being Waitlisted?

Applying to College
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<p>My friend and I are having a lively debate about this topic. Just so you're not swayed by anything, I won't post my points or his points or our positions.</p>

<p>Is getting a likely letter similar to being waitlisted?</p>

<p>If so, why?</p>

<p>If not, why not?</p>

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<p>No, not at all!</p>

<p>Likely letters mean that your application stood out and you are a LIKELY cadidate for the school. A lot of these people get in, and a lot don't.
....but it has NOTHING to do with being waitlisted</p>

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<p>I disagree. Pretty much <em>all</em> people who get a likely letter get in. In fact I've never heard of a likely letter recipient who didn't get in. It may have happend at some point, but it's very rare.</p>

<p>I agree that a likely letter is nothing like being waitlisted. A likely letter comes out <em>before</em> the admissions decisions. Being put on the waitlist happens at the time the decisions are announced.</p>

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<p>Excuse me if I was not clear in my question ReachForDreams. We're debating on whether or not they're similar, not whether or not they caused on another in any way. Sorry if I was being a big vague.</p>

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<p>"I disagree. Pretty much <em>all</em> people who get a likely letter get in."</p>

<p>Really? It seems as though many people get these likely letters, so many that they wouldn't possibly accept all of the people. That is probably because most people on CC are genius worried people though. haha</p>

<p>Thanks for clearing that up.</p>

<p>"Excuse me if I was not clear in my question ReachForDreams. We're debating on whether or not they're similar, not whether or not they related in anyways. Sorry if I was being a big vague."</p>

<p>Oh! I misread it, I'm sorry. No they are not similar because likely letter means that you will probably make it in to the school and the school really likes you while waitlisted means that you did not make it in with the type of people who probably would have gotten a likely letter and that you will only MAYBE make it in if enough people turn down the school.</p>

<p>I hope that wasn't too confusing. :)</p>

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<p>A likely letter is akin to getting an unofficial acceptance. Being put on WL means you're otherwise rejected unless extraordinary low no. of people decide to matriculate. Big enough diff?</p>

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<p>I don't understand your question.</p>

<p>Likely letter = you will get in unless you mess up (i.e. fail a class or get suspended)</p>

<p>Waitlist = you were qualified, but not qualified as those admitted. So you'll be accepted only if those given first preference decline the offer. You could think about it like this: 600 qualified applicants, only 500 spots. So the last 100 get on the wailist.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I agree that a likely letter is nothing like being waitlisted.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I agree with this statement too.</p>

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<p>Sorry I can't clarify anymore, or I'll possibly slip up and give a hint to either my position or his.</p>

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<p>^ So...?</p>

<p>I don't get it, lol. Does it matter whether we know your position or not...?</p>

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<p>"Sorry I can't clarify anymore, or I'll possibly slip up and give a hint to either my position or his. "</p>

<p>ummm....why can't you?</p>

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<p>Neither of us are giving up in this debate, so we decided to take it here.
We came up with reasons, and if I post my reason, I also have to give his. However, just by giving a question and not our reasons, we can't blame each other for trying to sway people one way or the other.</p>

<p>I suppose I could just clean it up a bit.</p>

<p>The people who get likely letters compared to the college's standards vs. the people who get wait listed compared to the college's standards. Like if they meet them or if they exceedingly meet them or if they don't or just fall slightly below.</p>

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<p>From your cryptic replies, I gather you're asking the relative scale of those who receive a LL versus someone put on a WL? LL recipients are the MOST sought after students of any given season by the college. That's why they pour on the extra courting -- to entice the student to attend -- they want them that badly.</p>

<p>Whereas a WL student is wanted, but otherwise there isn't space. Make sense?</p>

<p>BTW: very few colleges issue LLs, you know</p>

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<p>Are you saying the magnitude (like absolute value)?</p>

<p>i.e. there are 100 ranks and only top 50 are accepted. Likely letter student is rank 25. WL student is 75. This means that both are 25 seats away from the median, which is 50.</p>

<p>Or am I over analyzing, lol.</p>

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<p>Likely letters literally mean "You're accepted if you don't flunk out of high school and/or commit a felony." Period.</p>

<p>Duke recently sent likely letters to the top 350 applicants in its entire pool. HYPS typically send 100-200 to VERY select athletes/URMs/sickly qualified intellectuals, etc.</p>

<p>It's an unofficial acceptance letter.</p>

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<p>Likely Letter = (unofficial) Acceptance
Waitlist = Not enough space to accept an applicant, even though the applicant is qualified</p>

<p>They are completely different.</p>